Tale of a Kite
6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4: 6-8.
Don Waterhouse was an amazing powerful force to contend with. He never did anything halfheartedly. He was born on the English Scottish borderlands, the oldest of three wonderful sisters – Judith, Sheila and Susan. He would bike for hours over the rugged moors on his ‘no-speed’ bike. At 16 he was accepted into the Durham Constabulary cadets… it was an elite training experience that involved working with the coastguard, helping in hospitals, the fire brigade, rock climbing, judo and fencing [you never knew when someone needed the police to fence.] Involvement in drama, helping at a youth club, outward bounds and many other activities led to him earning the gold standard and being presented to the recently deceased Duke of Edinburgh. He was quite the athlete captaining the basketball, and rugby teams and running the 100 meters in the British Nationals. Life seemed set but before he settled down, he wanted to see a bit of the world, so he came to Canada. He had a variety of jobs, working in a drug store, a paint factory, a truck driver, finance company manager and then just after he got “soundly converted to Christ” he became a childcare worker with Browndale. However, he missed his homeland and wanted to return. He told the Canadian girl he was dating that he was going to go back to England, and she said she would come too. He said, “No, I am going alone” and she said, “I will follow you.” He said, “I’m not telling you where I’m going.” She said, ‘I WILL FIND YOU.” Well, she passed the test and 46 years later they are still married. They have always been together no matter what project Don thought up. They, along with Jake & Doris Pothaar, started their own group home for children who couldn’t live at home. Over the years they have cared for more than 150 kids. [We were so blessed to have these kids in our lives and feel we learned as much or more from them as they learned from us.] The two couples started a Christian School for grades K – 12, a Christian pro-life outreach, Creation Science seminars, and he even ran for federal government. As if that wasn’t enough, on top of all his full time work he finally found a way to follow his passion to become an ordained minister. He was accepted into Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, and upon completion of his studies he was installed as a minister at Whitby Emmanuel Reformed Church. While there he served on many committees and was President of the Regional Synod of Canada. He served in Whitby faithfully for almost 15 years sheltering many wonderful people under his roof during that time.
Is that enough? Is that enough to pack into a lifetime? Not for Don…. In 2014 he was so excited to read an ad stating the Toronto Police were looking for chaplains. Could he possibly qualify? Was he too old? The application was sent, the interviews were extensive, the background check [thankfully] came up clean and what joy in the final interview to hear Inspector Jim MacKrel and Superintendent John Tanouye declare in answer to whether or not he could join the team, “Ab-so-frigin-lutely! Welcome to the family.”
And a wonderful family it has been to be part of. He was so proud in his uniform and he smiled and said that his wife flirts with him all over again. He has remained in service to 41 Division all these years but somewhat curtailed the last year due to Covid restrictions. Seeking a slower pace of life, he moved back to the Home called, Highland Crossroads. The minister at Harcourt Community Chapel, asked if he would help out, but it became another full-time commitment. Again, he served there faithfully for 5 years and he preached his last sermon on Sunday, May 9, 2021.
Don was Deborah’s kite, and she was the tail. Joined with him she could soar and fly to heights she would never imagine. With her weight he had balance so that he could catch the wind and wouldn’t crash. But last night the wind ceased, and her wonderful amazing, adventurous, persistent, passionate husband died. His soul left his body and he instantly entered into the presence of the Lord Jesus whom he loved and served with all his heart. With every last ounce of strength that was quickly vanishing, he struggled and his last words to Deborah were a victory of will. He was able to say, “I love you.” He loved to the very end. Like the verse says at the beginning, I have fought the good fight [all that fencing paid off] I have finished the race – and he ran hard all his life. And most importantly, through thick and thin, turmoil and pain, challenges too numerous to mention, Don Waterhouse DEFINITELY kept the faith.
“Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord.” Matthew 25:21
Donald’s family will receive friends and relatives at a drive by visitation at the Harcourt Community Chapel, Harcourt, on Friday, May 14, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. A private funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. inside the Harcourt Community Chapel with Jake Pothaar officiating. The public is asked to pay their respects in their vehicles, and park and remain in their vehicles at the Harcourt Community Centre next door. The service will be broadcast live over FM Radio, as well as on U-Tube video. Link will be posted below, before the service. Interment will follow at South Wilberforce Cemetery, Wilberforce. Due to COVID-19, and Provincial lockdown directives, strict visitation and service restrictions will be in place. No exceptions. As expressions of sympathy, donations to A Charity of Choice would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements entrusted to M.G. Daly Funeral Home, Maynooth. (Cards available at the funeral home (613) 338-3259 or e-mail condolences to
dalyfuneralhome@bellnet.ca or visit www.mgdalyfuneralhome.com).
FM Broadcast will be 87.9 FM (will confirm before service)
U-Tube video link (will be posted here before service time)
2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Waterhouse Donald 2021..
Décès pour la Ville:Maynooth, Province: Ontario